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 

A timeless instrument or two... a musical heritage

Yesterday I had one of those "moments" watching Grace sit at the organ, playing her own "song".  I just happened to glance up from my spot across the room, and suddenly I was remembering  pictures I have of that same instrument, from many years ago.

This picture is from 1976, just after Ken's dad purchased that organ.  I love that you can see a dulcimer hanging on the wall behind the organ in BOTH pictures!  Doug actually asked for the organ when Ken's dad was moving to Florida.  It has been in Doug and Susie's house, ever since. And the dulcimer hanging in Doug's house is one of the dulcimers that his Grandpa built.  

And then I was remembering this picture.  We actually have similar pictures over the years, of Doug sitting at that organ...

It is easy to see why that organ brings back so many memories for me.  Both of my kids looked forward to playing it when we visited Ken's mom and dad. 

Of course thinking about these pictures also took me down another thought path.  April is one of those months for me, that almost every day seems to hold a memory of the death of a special person.  My mom and dad and Ken's mom and dad, all died in April.  My sister died in April.  Two of my four grandparents died in April.  But today I was thinking about the wonderful heritage all of those people have sown into my family tree.  Ken's dad loved music and I know that he would be so pleased to see Grace enjoying his organ.  In his later years, he often told Ken and I how much he loved that both of our kids were involved in music.  My dad was also a musician and he would love that Gwen and Doug both play instruments and sing.  Some of my best memories of my dad are the (few) times that I witnessed him sitting at a piano playing and singing or playing some other instrument.  It is interesting that I am the only one of my siblings that did NOT ever play an instrument or sing in the choir.  I am very thankful that my kids from an early age, had musical talents.  I love that I am seeing that passed along with my grandkids.  Lia and Ellie are both playing the piano.  Zeke has expressed how much he wants to learn guitar (and drums).  Anna loves music and so does Grace.  Even though this "musical heritage" seemed to pass me by, I am thankful that it didn't stop with me!

For the rest of this month, I plan to find the wonderful heritage that each of these special people have left for me and for future generations.  I love that there is so much we can learn from our ancestors when we find their connections to our present life.  Sometimes you just have to stop and look for those ties that bring generations together. 

Suddenly April doesn't seem so dark and gloomy for me.  Even though it is the month of rain and more rain along with the reminder of lost loved ones.  I am going to use this time to find even more wonderful connections to my ancestors that will bring new revelations for our family..  I am very thankful that Grace decided she just had to play the organ.  I guess I needed that memory jog to start on this new adventure.  I can't wait to see what new things Jesus shows me as this month goes on. 

Jesus, thank you for opening my eyes to this connection between Grace, Doug and Ken's dad.  I love that Holy Spirit brings this reminders to us so that we can understand your plans for us that began with our ancestors.  Thank you for music and the joy and peace that settles our spirits as we play and listen and dance.   Amen

Great day to be a parent!

Sometimes things just kind of sneak up on you.  Well, sort of.  This picture is my son Doug, of course.   I know that I have blogged about how musical both of my kids are.  I have talked about all of the various musical things that Gwen does.  And I guess I have mentioned that Doug is also musical.   He started playing saxophone in 5th grade.   He played all through middle school and high school.  He was in the Jazz band starting in 6th grade.  Somewhere around then (I'm not exactly sure what year) Doug bought an electric guitar.  He did take some lessons, but basically taught himself to play.  Then he got a full set of drums.  We used to laugh about the fact that we could here him playing the drums when we were several blocks away.  That drum set took up the better part of his bedroom.  He was mostly responsible about not playing those drums except during the daytime.  It was quiet once he moved out of the house.   I knew that Doug was playing in a band and that he had set up a band practice area in the basement of his home. 

The thing is, Doug hasn't said very much to me about this band!  I guess I should not be overly surprised.   The contrast between my two children is extreme!  Gwen would come home from school and talk.  And talk.  And talk.  I heard about everything that happened.  What all the girls were wearing.  What the teacher was wearing. Especially her shoes.  I got a pretty much play-by-play account of the day.   Then Doug started school.  He would come home.  I would ask "How was your day?"  The always answer was "Fine".  I would try to get further information.... "what happened in school today?"  and the answer was "nothing".  And that was about it.   Now here is where things sort of "snuck up on me".   About a week ago, Susie, Doug's wife, liked the "Crisis Identity" Facebook page.   That is the name of Doug's Band.  And they had a Facebook page.   And when I liked the page and actually went to the page and looked at it, low and behold, there was a link with actual tracks off of a CD that I could listen to.   And pictures of Doug, playing and singing.   Wow.   This was amazing!

I was thinking about a time when Doug was in high school.  He and I had a conversation about what he wanted to do when he "grew up".   He told me that he would love to play music and get paid for it!  He said that he wished he could make enough money doing that, but realistically he knew that was not possible.  I am so thankful that he actually found a career that he loves.  But mostly, tonight, I am so thankful that he has been able to continue to play music.  As a parent you always hope to see your children have their hopes and dreams come true.  And I am so blessed to know that my children are happily walking out their destiny.

What an amazing gift this information was today.   Isn't it wonderful how the Holy Spirit just brings these wonderful little pick-me-ups to us?   It is so wonderful to be surprised and then to realize that there is much more than the surface stuff to the surprise.   In this case, it is that connection to Doug's childhood desire.  And that knowing the joy, as a parent, of seeing your adult children living life to the fullest.  
Tonight I am so proud and thankful.  

Jesus, thank you for my family.   Thank you for Gwen and Doug.  How wonderful it is to be blessed like this today.   Holy Spirit, help all parents to stand by their children, whatever and wherever their children go as adults.   Jesus, I know that you are guiding and leading my children.   Thank you for your care and protection for them.   Amen

Where my memories took me today.......

I love Christmas music!  I mean I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Christmas music.  I've been listening to an old CD that has a mish/mash of music (everything from the Messiah to Alvin and the Chipmunks) and then I heard a version of Oh Little Town of Bethlehem and I was suddenly back in this church pictured above.  This is the first church that I remember and I went to my first Sunday School class in this church.  Needless to say, the building wasn't this big at that time.  It was also a bit crowded and my class was held on the stairs!  And we learned Oh Little Town of Bethlehem for the Sunday School Christmas program.  I was 4 years old.  I don't remember the program, but I do remember learning this song. It is still a favorite of mine today. 

While I have always been convinced of the importance of teaching children, I am now beginning to understand in a much bigger way, just how important it is.  Each of these memories and thoughts that I have been sharing in this blog have been triggered by the Holy Spirit. Today I started to put two and two together and got four.  Part of the reason that I have been sharing all of these memories is to remind me that the things I learned as a child, have influenced and directed my life.  That might sound sort of simplistic, but think about this!  Doesn't it change how you might view the importance of the Sunday School program in your church - no matter what age you are? And how about all of those children in your extended family?  Doesn't it make you want to make sure that you share your stories and testimony with them so that they can be blessed by them? 

I've been thinking about the people in my past who gave of their time to be my teachers, leaders, adult guides.  I am so thankful.  I am thankful for my church that knows the value of Sunday School for children.  I am so thankful for my family roots and the heritage of church attendance that made this memory possible for me. 

If you have a child in your life - a grandchild, a neighbor child, a friends child or grandchild, a child in your church, a niece or nephew, a cousins child, I encourage you today to invest in that child.  Sing a Christmas song with them.  Teach it to them.  Give them a CD of Christmas music.  Talk to them about your own favorite songs.  Make a memory with them.  And make a memory for yourself.

Jesus, thank you for music.  Holy Spirit, thank you for today's reminder. Continue to stir up our memories as we hear the music of the Christmas season.  Thank you so much for the people who spend time with the children today. Bless the teachers, the leaders, the parents, the grandparents, the friends, who are investing in this generation. Give us all the joy and wonder of children this Christmas season. 

When Jesus speaks in a song.....

Do you know how sometimes you hear just the perfect song, at just the right time?  I had one of those times this morning.  A song I have heard many times, sung many times, thought about before..... just smacked me in the heart and spirit this morning.  Who I Am by Casting Crowns  Click on this link to hear the song that stopped me this morning.   Here are the words......

Who am I? That the Lord of all the earth,
Would care to know my name, Would care to feel my hurt.
Who am I? That the bright and morning star,
Would choose to light the way,  for my ever wondering heart.

Not because of who I am. But because of what you've done.
Not because of what I've done. But because of who you are.

I am a flower quickly fading, Here today and gone tomorrow.
A wave tossed in the ocean, A vapor in the wind.
Still you hear me when I'm calling,  Lord you catch me when I'm falling,
And you told me who I am.  I am yours.  I am yours.

Who am I?  That the eyes that see our sin
Would look on me with love  And watch me rise again
Who am I?  That the voice that calmed the sea,
Would call out through the rain, And calm the storm in me.

Whom shall I fear?  Whom shall I fear?
'cuz I  am yours.  I am yours.

After my post yesterday (and the day before), I was thinking about how short our time really is, to make a difference for Jesus.  None of us knows the length of our days.  We are those flowers, quickly fading.  We are just a vapor in the wind.  And even when we feel like we are wandering off of the path that is the correct path for our destiny, Jesus will light the way for us to get back on track.  When those storms are raging INSIDE of us, as well as all around us, Jesus calls out to us and calms that inner storm.  Really, is there anything that should rattle us, when we KNOW this?  If we take the words of this song into our spirit, and digest it, there is nothing that we should be afraid of!  

I didn't really realize how fearful I had been over the last few weeks.  But the truth is, there are several things going on in my life right now, and somehow, that fear had just crept into my spirit.  There was some fear of man - what others would think.  There was some fear of the unknown.  There was some fear of making wrong choices or decisions.  But after hearing this song in a new way this morning, I am repeating over and over to myself "Whom shall I fear? I am yours!"   I know that I am not the only one feeling this today.  Do you have a storm raging inside of you?  Is it raining around you and you feel like you can't hear Jesus?  Well, good news, Jesus is calling out to YOU!  And the best news for ALL of us -  Jesus will catch us when we are falling.  And in that moment, when Jesus reaches out and catches us, he tells us that we belong to him.  Wow!  So, I encourage you to listen to the song in the link above.  Listen to it more than once.  Let it resonate in your spirit.  And then repeat after me "Whom shall I fear??  I am yours".

Jesus, thank you for music, for words that reach deep into our spirits.  Thank you for Casting Crowns and this special song "Who Am I".  Bless them mightily, Jesus.  Holy Spirit, reach out and touch many though this song.  Thank you for today and the encouragement that you have brought to me. 
Thank you for your great plans and purposes for each person.   And Jesus, thank you for calling out to me, through the storms raging inside of me!   Amen

Taste the rainbow!

Yes, it looks like a Skittles commercial - but it is not!  I just couldn't resist since that phrase has been on my mind all day today. "Taste the Rainbow" I had another amazing, incredible time with Jesus and the Holy Spirit last night. 

A little bit of a back story.  About a year ago I was at an ecumenical worship service and one of the worship leaders, played a violin over me.  That may sound a bit odd, but let me tell you, it was one of the most powerful experiences I have ever had.  It was like the sound of heaven that penetrated into my soul.  Although it may be hard to believe, I was "HEARING" colors.  I don't really have words to explain this, but it was very real.  I experienced a totally different kind of hearing that night.  And, now during various worship times, I have had the same experience.  Okay - last night.  Well, last night was another one of those nights with powerful, intense worship.  One of the worship leaders was Georgian Banov.  If you don't know who he is, let Google help you out.  All I can say, is he is WOW!  And he plays the violin.  There were 5 people leading worship.  A keyboard player, a vocalist, a drummer, a guitar player and Georgian on violin.  At some point in the worship, everything changed.  The heavens opened and suddenly, that river of living water was just pouring from the throne down onto us. It actually looked like a flowing rainbow to me.  And at that moment, I was aware that I was "TASTING" the colors of that rainbow.  Each color seemed to hit my lips and a flavor would explode in my mouth. 

red,  was so sweet  - like the best candy you have ever tasted
orange,  was extra spicy - but it did not burn my mouth
yellow,  was smooth and buttery - like melted butter
green,  was a surge of savory herbs - freshness just filled my mouth
blue,  was a minty burst - that increased in flavor
indigo, was so salty - like the best salty snack
violet,  was like rich dark cocoa - soooooo good

There were so many surprises in these tastes.  I expected that blue would be like the water that I always associate with the color.  But no, it was so minty.  And I was surprised that there were TWO purples in this rainbow.  I actually wrote "light purple and dark purple" in my notes last night.  I have used the "proper" terms of indigo and violet in the list above that describe the rainbow colors.  Again, I was so surprised at the salty taste of the light purple.  I don't know what I would imagine light purple would "taste" like, but salty was a surprise.  I spent lots of time in the dark purple.  It just filled my mouth and I was overwhelmed by the intensity of all of the flavors. 

And the phrase I was hearing was "Taste and see that the Lord is good!"  And I was doing exactly that!  Tasting and understanding in a new way, how good He is!  And, of course I thought of "Taste the Rainbow" but this was so much better than Skittles.

So my encouragement to you tonight is to expect the unexpected.  Let yourself enter into worship when you have the chance.  Put on those CD's and worship at home.  Or in your car.  Sit back and let the sounds take you to new heights and into depths of your spirit.  There is very clear scientific evidence that music activates different areas of our brain more than anything else.  And I know that the Holy Spirit uses music to reach us at times when we have shut ourselves off.  Or put up walls to keep others out.  Or those times when we are just so immersed in our daily struggles that we forgot who we are and WHOSE we are.  Let that music reach you and listen for the voice of Jesus speaking to you through the Holy Spirit.  And listen for the colors.  And wait for the tastes.  I am sure that this is not just for me.  It's something for everyone.  There is so much more!  And I can't wait!

Jesus, thank you for, once again, the unexpected.  Holy Spirit thank you for using those musicians to reach me last night.  Thank you for those amazing men and women who stand aside and let you, Holy Spirit, do whatever you want.  Jesus, please share these colors with everyone.  It is so amazing.  Yes, you are so good!  Halleluia!  Amen